SPECIAL STATEMENT BY HIS EXCELLENCY DR. GEORGE MANNEH WEAH

PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA

ON THE OBSERVANCE OF THE WORLD DAY AGAINST CHILD LABOUR

SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 2021

Millions of girls and boys throughout the world are engaged into child labour and are victims of human trafficking, specifically child trafficking, that have placed them into child labour. These works have deprived them of adequate education, health, leisure and basic freedoms, thereby undermining their potential growth and development as well as their ability to gainful employment. More than half have been trafficked and are exposed to the worst forms of child labour such as work in hazardous environments, slavery, or other forms of forced labour, illicit activities such as drug trafficking, prostitution, and involvement in domestic work and in armed conflict.

The incidence and impact of child labour on the children’s fundamental rights and national development is one of the major concerns of the Government of Liberia. Child Labour is a cross-cutting issue that violates the fundamental rights of children emphasized by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

The International Labour Organization (ILO) launched the First World Day Against Child Labour (WDACL) in June 2002 under the theme “A Future without Child Labour” as a way to highlight the plight of these children. The day, which is observed on June 12 of each year, is intended to serve as a catalyst for the growing worldwide movement against child labour, reflected in the huge number of ratifications of ILO Convention No. 182 on the worst forms of child labour and ILO Convention No. 138 on the minimum age for employment.

The global pandemic (COVID-19) has profoundly affected the world of work. In addition to its threat to public health, the economic and social stability, the long-term livelihood and well-being of millions were also negatively impacted resulting to more child laborers.

Children's participation in the labour force is endlessly varied and infinitely volatile, responding to changing market and social conditions. Experience shows that a combination of economic growth, respect for labour standards, universal education and social protection, together with a better understanding of the needs and rights of children, can bring about a significant reduction in child labour. Child labour is a stubborn problem that, even if overcome in certain places or sectors, will seek out opportunities to reappear in new and often unanticipated ways. 

Liberia has signed many international Conventions including the UNICEF’s Child Rights Convention (CRC), the ILO Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention (No. 182), the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and the Palermo Protocol on Trafficking in Persons. Added to these is the endorsement and launched in 2019 of the Liberia’s National Action Plan Document (NAP) for the Elimination of the worst forms of Child Labour that aims at ensuring that children are shielded from activities that are detrimental to their physical, social or psychological well-being.

As Liberia joins the world over in observance of this year’s World Day Against Child Labour (June 12), with the Global Theme: “Act Now to End Child Labour”, the Government of Liberia recognizes that the worst forms of child labour and other hazardous work done by children deprive them of their dignity, rights to education, health, well-being and protection. As emphasized in the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD), it is clear that through relevant line Ministries such as the Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Ministry of Health, and in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and other relevant humanitarian agencies, the Government of Liberia can achieve her objectives in the fight against child labour.

Against this backdrop, I call on all of the relevant actors and stakeholders to coordinate efforts and mobilize the needed resources, and with the support of the public, to ensure that no child is a victim of child labour or involved in hazardous work.

I thank you.

Paris, France –The President of the Republic, H.E. Dr. George Manneh Weah has expressed profound gratitude to the government and people of France for the country's continued support to Liberia's development drive, especially in the areas of capacity building, infrastructure development and sports.

The Liberian Leader made the remarks during a special bilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elyseè Palace in Paris on Thursday, July 1, 2021.

President Weah also expressed appreciation for President Macron's "gracious support" towards Liberia’s engagements with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, which he said has greatly contributed to the improved fiscal and monetary policy implementation and efficiency the country now experiences.

He informed his French counterpart that his Administration continues to work in close collaboration with these international financial institutions, "which sometimes require the formulation of difficult policies, such as the Salary Harmonization Policy". But he said the policies have been required to make the "necessary corrective measures and structural adjustments" for the good of the Liberian economy.

President Weah called for the continuation of the Franco-Liberia relationship, including the strengthening of collaboration between the French Military and the Armed Forces of Liberia on the Malian peacekeeping mission. "In this regard", he said, "it is important to note that the Liberian contingent has now been tasked with providing Base Security for the Timbuktu outpost and, as such, more modern equipment and logistics are urgently needed."

The Liberian Leader enumerated the many other support the French government has rendered to Liberia in recent months, including funding for capacity development, sports, the resumption of flight by Air France, the construction of a new building for Alliance Francaise Institute, and the increase in activities by French businesses and Non-Government Organizations (NGOs).

Regarding ongoing efforts by the Liberian government to curb further spread of COVID,  President Weah thanked President Macron and the Government and People of France for "generously providing" a number of ventilators and several thousands of testing kits.  He told his counterpart that Liberia would need millions of additional doses of COVID-19 vaccines to help fight the spread of the virus.

For his part, President Emmanuel Macron assured President Weah of his unflinching support towards the Liberian government's efforts to improving the lives of its people.

During the hour-long meeting, Macron said his country's support to Liberia will be tangible so that it is felt by the citizens directly.

Macron said in addition to his country's efforts at capacity building and youth development, additional urban projects will be undertaken by the Agency for French Development totaling an initial amount of 23 million euros.

He assured the Liberia Leader that this assistance will be immediate.

President Macron also informed President Weah that his country will make an immediate donation of some 40, 000 test kits and several respirators. He said France will increase its quota to the COVAX structure, while ensuring that "Liberia directly benefits and have its population vaccinated".

He highlighted the strong historical ties between both nations, saying that both leaders ought to work harder in order to ensure the relationship yield tangible mutual benefits.

The talks covered a wide range of issues, including French support to the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) in order to enhance its ability to perform its service in Mali. The French President also promised more logistical support and training for the AFL and further cooperation in the area of information exchange.

The discussions also covered the issue of Piracy in the Gulf Guinea and the need for both nations to cooperate in order to halt the menace. The French government promised more equipment and training for the Liberian Coast Guards. The French Navy will study the option of having its Frigates participate in the fight against piracy in order to ensure that vital maritime commerce is carried out unhindered.

Foreign Minister Dee-Maxwell Kemayah,  Defense Minister Daniel Ziankahn and Maritime Commissioner Lenn Eugene Nagbe formed part of the discussions which were followed by a closed door tetè a tetè between the two leaders.

Monrovia, Liberia -The President of the Republic, H. E. Dr. George Manneh Weah, has underscored the importance of Liberia’s relations with the Republic of France, stating that recent years have seen “our engagements heightened, even at summit level.”

The President recalled that after the new nation of Liberia was born in 1847, France was one of the first major countries, in 1852, to recognize our independence.

“We are therefore very proud of the cordial ties of friendship which have existed between Liberia and France for almost 170 years now,” the President noted Friday, June 11, 2021, in remarks at programs marking the laying of the foundation stone of the Alliance Française Institute in Monrovia by him and France’s Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, His Excellency Jean-Yves Le Drian.

Recounting France’s recent development engagement with Liberia, President Weah recounted that in 2012, under the auspices of the Paris Club, France signed a debt relief agreement in favor of Liberia.

The next year, for the first time, a Liberian contingent marched alongside French forces on the Champs-Ēlysées in celebration of Bastille Day in 2013, President Weah further recalled, adding: “Today, even as we speak, a contingent of soldiers of the Armed Forces of Liberia is engaged alongside French troops in an endeavor to restore peace in Mali”.
 

President Weah said: “In 2015, Liberia participated in the United Nations Framework on Climate Change Conference in Paris. And in response to the deadly Ebola outbreak which recently occurred in Liberia, France was the co-sponsor of the UN Resolution which established the United Nations Mission Ebola Response.

The President acknowledged that France mobilized and joined other partners of the international community in order to actively tackle the Ebola virus in Liberia, and even now, France continues to support projects which contribute to the recovery of the Liberian health system.
 

He extoled the Republic of France for always demonstrating its friendship and support for Liberia.

According to the Liberian Chief Executive, the French government also assisted the Liberian National Police in the form of equipment and training, and plays an important role in peace and security in the sub-region, especially in combating the rise of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.
 

“I was inaugurated as President of Liberia in January, 2018. The following month, I made a significant and historic first international visit outside of Africa to Paris, France,” Dr. Weah further recalled. “Today we are witnesses to the presence of the French Europe and Foreign Minister on our soil as a sign of reciprocity from that visit.”
 

He commended efforts of the French Embassy accredited to Monrovia, together with French companies and non-governmental organizations, who are eager to develop and sustain a new relationship with Liberia.

“In this regard, my Government is pleased to note that French investment interest in Liberia has grown rapidly and in an encouraging manner,” the President asserted, adding that these investments are making significant contributions to Liberia’s economic recovery, especially as they create jobs and present new opportunities for employment.

He said: “I am informed that the French Business Club is already active in Monrovia, and provides helpful advice to new French investors in Liberia. French NGO’s, such as MSF-France, Action Contre la Faim, and Medicin Du Monde, for example, are already playing a useful role. Their work in Liberia speaks to the cordiality of friendship that Liberia and France continue to enjoy.”
 

The President said he was confident that while remaining confident, and given the diversity and strength of our relationship, Liberia and France will continue to engage and explore wide-ranging areas of increased cooperation.

He assured the visiting French Foreign Minister that Liberia remains committed to “our shared values; including the advancement of democracy, global peace and security, international prosperity, and the promotion of gender equality, among others.”

And, like France, he said, “we will remain steadfast in championing the cause of humanity, and advocating for social justice and the exercise of inalienable rights without precondition”.
 

He also recounted the recent successful initiation of collaboration between the French financial development institution PROPARCO (Promotion et Participation pour la Coopération Économique) and ECOBANK Liberia, which has resulted in the first French-backed bank guarantee to a Liberian bank in the tune of Ten Million United States Dollars.

This is a significant development which is very welcoming, because it has the potential to give a major boost to the Liberian private sector in its efforts to secure funding from financial institutions, President Weah said.
 

The French Europe and Foreign Affairs Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian pledged France support to Liberia.

“Mr. President, Liberia is being discussed and placed as a priority Country to receive support from the Government and people of France,” Minister Le Drian said.